Partition wall having i-section frame



Dec. 27, 1966 J, w, EMMONS ET AL 3,293,813

PARTITION WALL HAVING I-SECTION FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 12. 1964 3,293,813 PARTITION WALL HAVING I-SECTION FRAME James W. Emmons, 417 Allison Road, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311, and Lorin B. Robinson, 450 E. Dale Drive, Dayton, Ohio 45415 Filed Feb. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 344,353 10 Claims. (Cl. 52-238) This invention relates to wall structure and, more particularly, to wall support elements for use in movable partition systems.

In forming movable partitions, a conventional practice is to frame all wall panels and any glass panes required in the partition in a lattice of wood or metal beams or studs.

In a .previous style of movable partition system, a metallic support element having an I-section is employed in parts of the lattice framework and channels for engaging the wall panels to be framed are formed by striking spaced tabs from the central web of the support element. The tabs are bent to various angles to accommodate various thickness of wall board.

One disadvantage of the tabs is that they sometimes break when being bent. A further disadvantage resides in the time consumed by the installer who must align the tabs to fit the particular wall board being installed. Some of the spaced tabs may have tight contact with the wall board while others may not have tight engagement. Thus, the wall board may not be held securely in position.

Another disadvantage of the tab structure is that the wall board is engaged at only spaced portions rather than continuously. Thus, the tabs do not provide continuous support for the mar-gins of the wall board being framed and warpage is a problem.

In the foregoing type of partition system, a plurality of different types of support elements is needed. This requires an exceptionaly large stock of items to'be manufactured and to be maintained in a Warehouse.

The present invention satisfactorily solves the foregoing problems by utilizing the same element for the bottom and top of the partition as well as the horizontal and vertical studs. Thus, all of the elements have the same shape and may be employed as either the bottom member, the top member, the horizontal stud, or the vertical stud. Accordingly, only one type of wall support element need be manufactured and stored. This results in a lower cost for the movable partition system.

Additionally, the wall support elements of the present invention eliminate any securing of the wall board by metallic screws or the like to any of the wall support elements. Furthermore, each wall board is engaged continuously along all of its margins for support.

The present invention also eliminates any judgment on the installer's part as to how tight to fit the wall board. The configuration of the wall support elements is such that the wall board fits snugly and tightly within channels in each of the wall structure elements.

An object of this invention is to provide a light-weight wall structure that may be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wall structure for movable partition systems in which continuous support for wall board, glass, or the like is provided.

A further object of this invention is to'provide a wall structure for movable partition systems in which a minimum number of differently shaped support elements is employed.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof, the method of manufacture and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

' United States Patent In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a movable partition system including the wall structure of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the structure of FIGURE 1 as indicated by the circle 2.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is -a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the wall structure of FIGURE 1 as indicated by the circle 5.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view, similar to FIGURE 3, in which no door will be utilized.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a clip member employed with the structure of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a clip member employed with the structure of FIGURE '6.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a clip member employed with the structure of FIGURE 2.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGURE 1, there is shown a plurality of wall support elements of the wall structure of the present invention. These elements include a bottom member 10, a top member 12, vertical stud members 14, 16, and 18, and horizontal stud members 20, 22, and 24.

Each of these members, which are preferably formed of extruded aluminum, has the same cross sectional configuration. Each of the members is essentially an 1"- section having a base or web 26 and flange members 28 and 30 at each end of the width of the base 26. Each of the flange members 28 and 30, which constitute walls projecting outwardly from the "base 26, projects outwardly an equal distance from each opposite face of the base 26.

A plurality of stepped ribs 32, 34, 36, and 38 project outwardly from each face of the base 26 for cooperation with the flange members 28 and 30 and with each other. The stepped ribs 32 and 34 are disposed on one face of the base 26 and cooperate with the portions of the flange members 28 and 30, respectively, projecting outwardly from that face of the base 26. The ribs 36 and 38 are disposed on the opposite face of the base 26 and cooperate with the portions of the flange members 28 and 30, respectively, projecting outwardly from such opposite face of the base 26.

Each of the stepped ribs 32, 34, 36, and 38 includes afirst wall portion 40 (see FIGURE 3), which, while almost normal to the base 26, is slightly inclined to the flange members 28 and 30. Each of the ribs 32, 34, 36, and 38 has a second wall portion 42, which is connected to the first portion 40. The second portion 42 is disposed substantially normal to the first portion 40 and substantially parallel to the base 26. Each of the stepped ribs 32, 34, 36, and 38 has a third wall portion 44, which is connected to the second wall portion 42. The third portion 44 is slightly inclined to the flange members 28 and 30 while being almostnormal to the second portion 42. As clearly shown in the drawings, the third portions 44 have substantially thesame thickness as said first portions 40.

The third wall portion 44 of each of the ribs is spaced further from the cooperating or adjacent flange member 28 or 30 than the firstwall portion 40 and than the closest edge of the second wall portion 42. Thus, a first divergent-channel portion having a first width is formed between the first wall portion 40, the base 26, and

the cooperating or adjacent flange member 28 or 30 to receive a wall board of smaller thickness. The third wall portion 44, the second wall portion 42, and the cooperating flange member 28 or 30 form a second divergent channel portion having a second width adapted to receive a wall board of larger thickness. The divergence in eachof the foregoing channel portions results in an accommodation by each channel portion of a spread or range of wall board thicknesses.

The .edge of the second wall portion 42 closest to the adjacent flange member 28 or 30 and the adjacent flange member 28 or 30 define the entrance to the first channel portion from the second channel portion. The end of the third wall portion 44 andthe adjacent flange member 28 or 30 define the entrance to the second channel portion. The channel portions have their entrances facing in the same direction so that wall boards with either of the two thickness ranges accommodated may be easily inserted in the appropriate channel portion.

The second wall portion 42 prevents the wall board of larger thickness from entering the first channel portion and allows the wall board of larger thickness to rest on it. The wall board of smaller thickness may be easily inserted past the edge of the second Portion 42 of the rib for positioning in the first channel portion (see FIGURE 8). As shown in the drawings, the outward projection 'of the third wall portion 44 from the second wall portion 42 is at least as great as the outward'projection of the first wall portion 40 from the base 26, with the result that the second channel portion is at least as deep as the first channel portion and thus the lateral support provided for the wall board of larger thickness is no less than that provided for the wall board of smaller thickness.

Each of the stepped ribs 32, 34, 36, and 38 extends substantially the length of the base 26. Accordingly, the wall board received in each channel portion is confined along its entire margin by the stepped rib and its cooperating flange member.

In assembling the movable partition system of the present invention, the bottom member 10 is secured to the floor by suitable means such as bolts 46 (one shown). It the movable partition extends to the ceiling, the top member 12 is secured to the ceiling by suitable means similar to the bolts 46. Suitably designed T-shaped clip members are used for all connections between the various wall support elements.

Each of the wall support elements has a longitudinal slideway adjacent each face of the base or web 26, each said slideway being formed between the first wall portions 40 of the ribson one face of the base 26, the second wall portions 42 on the same face of the base 26, and the base 26. The slideways are each adapted to receive a slide portion of a T-shaped clip member. A variety of differently shaped clip members is used depending upon the specific connection to be established between adjacent support elements.

The vertical studs 14 and 16 are each attached to the bottom member 10 by a clip member 48, which has a leg portion 50 adapted to fit within aslot or aperture 52 in the base or web 26 of the bottom member 10. The clip members 48 (see FIGURE 11) each have a slide portion 54, which is disposed within and snugly fits a slideway of the vertical stud member engaged thereby (see FIGURE 2).

The clip members 48 remain in the slots 52 and the slideways of the vertical stud members 14 and 16 by gravity. However, when connecting the vertical stud members 14 and 16 to the top member 12, which has slots or apertures (not shown) therein for receiving the leg portion 50 of each of the clip members 48, the clip member 48 must be secured to the base 26 of the vertical studs 14 and 16. Accordingly, the slide portion 54 of the clip member 48 has an aperture 56 extending therethrough to receive a screw or the like to attach the clip member 48 to the base or web 26 of the vertical stud members 14 and 16.

The vertical stud member 18 is disposed beyond the end of the bottom member 10 (see FIGURE 5) so that there is no slot or aperture 52 available in the base 26 of the bottom member 10 for the leg portion 50 of the clip member 48. Accordingly, a T-shaped clip member 58 having a slide portion 60 and a leg portion 62, which curves substantially normal to the slide portion 60, is employed.

The slide portion 60 is disposed within the slideway which is formed between the first wall portions 40 of the ribs 32 and 34 (see FIGURE 5), the second wall portions 42 of the ribs 32 and 34, and the base 26. The leg portion 62 of the clip member 58 has an aperture 64 extending therethrough whereby a screw 66 may be disposed therein for attaching the clip member 58 to the base 26 of the bottom member 10.

The horizontal stud members 22 and 24 are connected to each other and to the vertical stud member 16 by a clip member 68 (see FIGURE 10). The clip member 68 includes a slide portion 70 adapted to be disposed within the slideway which is formed between the first wall portions 40 of the ribs on one side of the base 26 of the horizontal stud member 24 (see FIGURES 6 and 7), the second wall portions 42 of the ribs on one side of the base 26 of the horizontal stud member 24, and the base 26. I

The clip member 68 has a leg portion 72, which is adapted to be inserted within a slot or aperture 74 in the vertical stud member 16. The slots or apertures 74 are disposed at spaced intervals along the vertical stud members 14 and 16 to permit installation of a horizontal stud member at any of a plurality of locations.

The leg portion 72 of the clip member 68 has an aperture 76 extending therethrough. Suitable securing means such-as screw 78, for example, is disposed within the aperture 76 for connecting the clip member 68 to the horizontal stud member 22. It should be understood that the slide portion 70 0f the clip member 68 could be disposed within the slideway of the horizontal stud member 22 and the leg portion 72 secured to the horizontal stud member 24. This relation depends upon the manner in which the movable partition system is installed.

The horizontal stud member 24 is connected to the vertical stud member 18 by one of the clip members 48 because the leg portion 50 of the clip member 48 is much shorter than the leg portion 72 of the clip member 68. Since the vertical stud member 18 is the last member, there is no other horizontal stud member to which the leg portion 72 of the clip member 68 may be attached.

A covermember 80, which functions as a door jamb, is shown in FIGURE 3. The cover member 80 is secured to the vertical stud member 18 by suitable means such as screws 82 (one shown) and extends the length of the vertical stud member 18 or to door height, depending on the particular installation. The cover member 80 has a hollow, protruding rib 84, which serves as a door jamb. Confronting interior walls of said rib are fluted to form threads for receiving the screws 82. Thus, the cover member 80 not only provides the door jamb but also hides all of the securing means such as the screws 82 and the clip members from view.

As shown in FIGURE 1, a transparent window pane 88 is disposed between the vertical stud members 14 and 16, the horizontal stud member 22, and the top member 12. In order to fit the window pane 88 within the framework of the present invention, it is convenient to. employ conversion members 90' (see FIGURE 4). Each conversion member 90 has flanges 92 and 94, which are disposed within the flange members 28 and 30 of the vertical stud member converted thereby and which support the outer 'face of the conversion member 90 in coplanar relation to the outermost margins of the flange members 28 and 30 receiving the conversion member.

Each conversion member 90 also has spaced'grooves 96 and 98 in the outer face thereof and is secured to.a support element such as the vertical stud member 14 by screws 100 (one shown) passing through the conversion member 90 between the grooves 96 and 98. The grooves 96 and 98 each have side walls which diverge toward the base of the groove to provide a dovetail interlocking means. For a window installation, the entire opening defined by the vertical stud members 14 and 16, the horizontal stud member 22 and the top member 12 is lined by conversion members 90.

The window pane 88 is mounted between frame members 102 having legs 106 and 108 supporting divergent foot portions 107 and 109. The foot portions 107 and 109 have a dovetail fit with the side walls of the groove 96 or 98. Thus, the frame members 102 are easily attached to the conversion member 90 by pressing the legs 106 and 108 together a sufficient distance that their respective foot portions 107 and 109 will enter the groove 96 or 98, then spread apart to their normal positions. It should be understood that the window assembly includes cooperating frame members 102 receiving all four margins of the window pane 88.

In some cases a partition constructed according to the present invention will end in the center of a room so as to form a partial divider. In such cases it is preferred to provide a facing of pleasing appearance at the end of the divider. For such purpose, the arrangement'of FIGURE 8 may be employed wherein a conversion member 90 of the type utilized with the window pane 88 is used in facing a stud 99. The conversion member 90 is of sufiicient length to extend the height of the stud member 99.

In order to hide the securing screws for the conversion member 90, a cover member 112 is used. The cover member 112 has legs 114 and 116, which fit within the groove 96 of the conversion member 90, and legs 118 and 120, which are disposed within the grooves 98 of the conversion member 90.

The leg 114 has a dovetail fit with the edge of the groove 96 and the leg 120 has a dovetail fit with the edge of the groove 98. Thus, the second cover member 112 provides a smooth exterior finish to the partition.

The frame members 102 and the cover member 112 constitute but two types of accessory attachable to the conversion member 90. Numerous other styles of accessory attachable with the aid of the conversion mem-' ber 90 will occur to those skilled in the art.

A wall board 122 of smaller thickness is shown in FIGURE 8. The wall board 122 is disposed between the first wall portion 40 of the rib 32 and the adjacent flange member 28. For comparison purposes, a wall board 124 of larger thickness is disposed between the third wall portion 44 of the rib 34 and the cooperating flange member 30. The second wall portion 42 of the rib 34 prevents the wall board 124 from entering into the first channel and provides support therefor. The wall board 122 is approximately A" in thickness while the wall board 124 is approximately in thickness.

Only a minimum number of parts and tools is required to erect the movable partition system of the present invention. Thus, only a drill to provide holes for the screws and bolts, a screw driver for the screws, and a wrench for the bolts is required. As'clearly shown in FIGURE 2, the wall board is supported in channels extending continuously around its entire periphery to provide a more stable structure. Furthermore, theme of extended aluminum permits the various support elements to be easily handled because of their light weight.

While all of the support elements are preferably of the same configuration, and therefore produced by'the same extrusion die, it should be understood that the bottom member could be formed without the flange members and ribs extending from the lower side of the base 26 whereby the base 26 would sit flush with the 6 floor. However, the elevated arrangement of the base 26 0f the bottom member 10 is preferred because this allows electrical conduits or other similar items to be disposed therein.

An advantage of this invention is that lightweight elements provide stability to the wall structure While allowing easy handling for assembly. Another advantage of this invention is that all of the wall support elements are of the same configuration whereby manufacturing and storage costs are reduced.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A wall support element adapted to receive wall board of two differentt thicknesses, said element including a base, said base having an outwardly projecting member at each end of its width, each of said outwardly projecting members being substantially normal to said base, each of said outwardly projecting members extending from each side of said base, a pair of ribs extending outwardly from each side of said base, each of said ribs cooperating with said outwardly projecting member adjacent thereto, each of said ribs including a first portion substantially normal to said base and connected thereto, each of said ribs including a second portion substantially parallel to said base and connected to said first portion, each of said ribs including a third portion substantially normal to said second portion and connected thereto, one edge of said second portion of each of said ribs being closer to said adjacent outwardly projecting member than said third portion whereby only the wall board of smaller thickness is adapted to be received between said first portion and said adjacent projecting member for resting on said base while the wall board of larger thickness is adapted to be received between said third portion and said adjacent outwardly projecting member for resting on said second portion, the other edge of said second portion of each of said ribs being disposed further from said adjacent outwardly projecting member than said first portion whereby said first portions of said ribs on one side of said base, said second portions of said ribs on said one side of said base, and said base cooperate to form a slideway therebetween adapted to receive a connecting clip or the like.

2. A wall support element according to claim 1 wherein said first and third portions of each said rib have substantially the same thickness.

3. A wall support element according to claim 1 wherein said third portion of each said rib has an outward projection from said second portion of each said rib at least as great as the outward projection of said first portion of each said rib from said base.

4. A wall support element adapted to receive wall board of two different thicknesses, said element including a base, said base having an outwardly projecting member at each end of its width, each of said outwardly projecting members being substantially normal to said base, each of said outwardly projecting members extending from each side of said base, a pair of ribs extending outwardly from each side of said base, each of said ribs cooperating with said outwardly projecting member adjacent thereto to form a channel therebetween, each of said ribs extending the length of said base, each of said ribs including a first portion substantially normal to said base and substantially parallel to said outwardly projecting members, each of said ribs including a second portion substantially parallel to said base and substantially normal to said first portion, each of said ribs including a third portion substantially normal to said secend portion and substantially parallel to said outwardly projecting members, said second portion connecting said first portion and said third portion, said third portion of each of said ribs being spaced further from said adjacent outwardly projecting member than said first portion whereby said third portion cooperates with said adjacent outwardly projecting member to form a first channel portion adapted to receive the wall board of larger thickness while said first portion cooperates with said adjacent outwardly projecting member to form a second channel portion adapted to receive the wall board of smaller thickness, said first portions and said second portions of said pair of ribs on one side of said base cooperating with said base to form a slideway for receiving a connecting clip or the like.

5. A wall structure for supporting wall board, said structure including a plurality of elements, each of said elements including a base, said base having a flange member extending outwardly substantially normal to said base at each end of the width of said base on at least one side of said base, said base having a pair of ribs extending outwardly from at least said one side of said base, each of said ribs cooperating with said flange member adjacent thereto, each of said ribs including a first portion substantially normal to said base and connected thereto, each of said ribs including a second portion substantially parallel to said base and connected to said first portion, one edge of said second portion of each of said ribs being further from said adjacent flange member than the opposite edge whereby said first portions of said ribs, said second portions of said ribs and said base cooperate to form a slideway therebetween, clip means to connect each of said elements to another of said elements, said clip means being disposed in said slideway, and means to connect said clip means and said another element.

6. A wall structure for supporting wall board of two different thicknesses, said structure including a plurality of elements, each of said elements including a base, said base having a flange member extending outwardly substantially normal to said base at each end of the width of said base on at least one side of said base, said base having a pair of ribs extending outwardly from at least said one side of said base, each of said ribs cooperating with said flange member adjacent thereto, each of said ribs including a first portion substantially normal to said base and connected thereto, each of said ribs including a second portion substantially parallel to said base and connected to said first portion, each of said ribs including a third portion substantiallynormal to said second portion and connected thereto, one edge of said second portion of each of said ribs being closer to said adjacent flange member than said third portion whereby only the wall board of smaller thickness is adapted to be received therebetween for resting on said base While the wall board of larger thickness is adapted to be received between said third portion and said adjacent flange member for resting on said second portion, the other edge of said second portion of each of said ribs on the same side of said base being disposed further from said adjacent flange member than said first portion whereby said first portions of said ribs on the same side of said base, said second portions of said ribs on the same side of said base, and said base cooperate to form a slideway therebetween, clip means to connect each of said elements to another of said elements, said clip means having a slide portion disposed in said slideway, and means to connect said clip means and said another element.

7. A wall structure for supporting Wall board of two different thicknesses, said structure including a plurality of elements, each of said elements including a base, said base having a flange member extending outwardly substantially normal to said base at each end of the width of said base on at least one side of said base, said base having a pair of ribs extending outwardly from at least said one side of saidbase, each of said ribs cooperating with said flange member adjacent thereto, each of said ribs including a first portion substantially normal to said base and connected thereto, each of said ribs including a second portion substantially parallel to said base and connected to said first portion, each of said ribs including a third portion substantially normal to said second portion connected thereto, one edge of said second portion being closer to said adjacent flange member than said third portion whereby only the Wall board of smaller thickness is adapted to be received therebetween for resting on said base while the wall board of larger thickness is adapted to be received between said third portion and said adjacent flange member for resting on said second portion, the other edge of said second portion of each of said ribs on the same side of said base being disposed further from said adjacent flange member than said first portion whereby said first portions of said ribs on the same side of said base, said second portions of said ribs on the same side of said base, and said base cooperate to form a slideway therebetween, clip means to connect each of said elements to other of said elements disposed substantially normal thereto, said clip means having a slide portion disposed in said slideway, and a leg projecting from said slide portion, and at least one of said other elements having a slot therein for receiving said leg.

8. A wall structure for supporting wall board of two dilferent thicknesses, said structure including a plurality of elements, each of said elements including a base, said base having a flange member extending outwardly substantially normal to said base at each end of the width of said base on at least one side of said base, said flange members extending the length of said base, said base having a pair of ribs extending outwardly from at least said one side of said base, each of said ribs cooperating with said flange member adjacent thereto, each of said ribs including a first portion substantially normal to said base and connected thereto, each of said ribs including a second portion substantially parallel to said base and connected to said first portion, each of said ribs including a third portion substantially normal to said second portion connected thereto, one edge of said second portion being closer to said adjacent flange member than said third portion whereby only the wall board of smaller thickness is adapted to be received therebetween for resting on said base while the wall board of larger thickness is adapted to be received between said third portion and said adjacent flange member for resting on said second portion, the other edge of said second portion of each of said ribs on the same side of said base being disposed further from said adjacent flange member than said first portion whereby said first portions of said ribs on the same side of said base, said second portions of said ribs on the same side of said base, and said base cooperate to form a slideway therebetween, clip means to connect each of said elements to other of said elements disposed substantially normal thereto, said clip means including a slide portion of substantially the same width as said slideway and a projecting leg portion of smaller Width, said slide portion of said clip means being disposed in said slideway and at least one of said other elements having a slot therein for receiving said leg portion of said clip means.

- 9. A wall structure for supporting wall board of two different thicknesses, said structure including a plurality of elements, each of said elements including a base, said base having a flange member extending outwardly substantially normal to said base at each end of the width of said base on at least one side of said base, said base having a pair of ribs extending outwardly from at least said one side of said base, each of said ribs extending the length of said base, each of said ribs cooperating with said flange member adjacent thereto to form a chan- 1 therebetween, each of said ribs including a first portion substantially normal to said base and substantially parallel to said cooperating flange member to form a first channel portion therebetween, each of said ribs including a second portion substantially normal to said first portion and substantially parallel to said base, each of said ribs including a third portion connected by said second portion to said first portion, said third portion being substantially normal to said second portion and substantially parallel to said cooperating flange member, said third portion being spaced further from said cooperating flange member than said first portion to form a second channel portion wider than said first channel portion said second channel portion being adapted to receive the wall board of larger thickness while said first channel portion is adapted to receive the wall board of smaller thickness, said first portions of said ribs on the same side of said base cooperating with said base and said second portions of said ribs on the same side of said base to form a slideway therebetween, clip means to connect each of said elements to other of said elements disposed substantially normal thereto, said clip means having a slide portion disposed in said third channel, and at least one of said other elements having a slot the-rein for receiving a projection of said clip means.

10. A wall structure for supporting wall board of two different thicknesses, said structure including a plurality of elements, each of said elements including a base, said base having a flange member extending outwardly substantially normal to said base at each end of the width of said base on at least one side of said base, said flange members extending the length of said base, said base having a pair of ribs extending outwarly from at least said one side of said base, each of said ribs extending the length of said base, each of said ribs cooperating with said flange member adjacent thereto to form a channel therebetween, each of said n'bs including a first portion substantially normal to said base and substantially parallel to said cooperating flange member to form a first channel portion therebetween, each of said ribs including a second portion substantially normal to said first portion and substantially parallel to said base, each of said ribs including a third portion connected by said second portion to said first portion, said third portion being substantially normal to said second portion and substantially parallel to said cooperating flange member, said third portion being spaced further from said cooperating flange member than said first portion to provide a second channel portion wider than said first channel portion, said second channel portion being adapted to receive the wall board of larger thickness while said first channel portion is adapted to receive the wall board of smaller thickness, said first portions of said ribs on the same side of said base cooperating with said base and said second portions of said ribs on the same side of said base to form a slideway therebetween, clip means to connect each of said elements to other of said elements disposed substantially normal thereto, said clip means including a slide portion of substantially the same width as said slideway and a projecting leg portion of smaller width, said slide portion of said clip means being disposed in said slideway, and at least one of said other elements having a slot therein for receiving said leg portion of said clip means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,308,242 1/ 1943 Hohl 52477 3,024,837 3 1962 McPhail 52236 3,03 8,568 6/1962 Morgan 52235 3,160,244 12/ 1964 Kushner et al. 5227 FOREIGN PATENTS 214,118 9/1960 Austria. 1,112,410 11/1955 France.

647,503 12/ 1950 Great Britain.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

L. R. RADANOVIC, R. A. STENZEL,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. A WALL SUPPORT ELEMENT ADAPTED TO RECEIVE WALL BOARD OF TWO DIFFERENTIAL THICKNESSES, SAID ELEMENT, INCLUDING A BASE, SAID BASE HAVING AN OUTWARDLY PROJECTING MEMBER AT EACH END OF ITS WIDTH, EACH OF SAID OUTWARDLY PROJECTING MEMBERS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SAID BASE, EACH OF SAID OUTWARDLY PROJECTING MEMBERS EXTENDING FROM EACH SIDE OF SAID BASE, A PAIR OF RIBS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM EACH SIDE OF SAID BASE, EACH OF SAID RIBS COOPERATING WITH SAID OF SAID BASE, EACH OF SAID ADJACENT THERETO, EACH OF SAID RIBS INCLUDING A FIRST PORTION SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SAID BASE AND CONNECTED THERETO, EACH OF SAID RIBS INCLUDING A SECOND PORTION SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID BASE AND CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST PORTION, EACH OF SAID RIBS INCLUDING A THIRD PORTION SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SAID SECOND PORTION AND CONNECTED THERETO, ONE EDGE OF SAID SECOND PORTION OF EACH OF SAID RIBS BEING CLOSER TO SAID ADJACENT OUTWARDLY PROJECTING MEMBER THAN SAID THIRD PORTION WHEREBY ONLY THE WALL BOARD OF SMALLER THICKNESS IS ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED BETWEEN SAID FIRST PORTION AND SAID ADJACENT PROJECTING MEMBER FOR RESTING ON SAID BASE WHILE THE WALL BOARD OF LARGER THICKNESS IS ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED BETWEEN SAID THIRD PORTION AND SAID ADJACENT OUTWARDLY PROJECTING MEMBER FOR RESTING ON SAID SECOND PORTION, THE OTHER EDGE OF SAID SECOND PORTION OF EACH OF SAID RIBS BEING DISPOSED FURTHER FROM SAID ADJACENT OUTWARDLY PROJECTING MEMBER THAN SAID FIRST PORTION WHEREBY SAID FIRST PORTIONS OF SAID RIBS ON ONE SIDE OF SAID BSAE, SAID SECOND PORTIONS OF SAID RIBS ON SAID ONE SIDE OF SAID BASE, AND SAID BASE COOPERATE TO FORM A SLIDEWAY THEREBETWEEN ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A CONNECTING CLIP OR THE LIKE. 